Temporal and Spatial Influence of Perennial Upland Buffers on Corn and Soybean Yields

Abstract

Contour perennial buffers within cropland reduce pollutants from watersheds, but may interfere and affect crop yields at the crop‐buffer interface. The objective of this study was to evaluate the temporal and spatial effects of agroforestry (AGF) and contour grass (CGS) buffers on no‐till corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields in the claypan region of Missouri. The CGS buffers (4.5‐m width) contained redtop (Agrostis gigantean Roth), brome grass (Bromus spp.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), established at 35 m spacings. The AGF buffers contained, a single row of pin oak (Quercus palustris Muenchh.), swamp white oak (Q. bicolor Willd.), and bur oak (Q. macrocarpa Michx.) trees planted at 3‐m spacings in the middle of grass strips. Mean yields of corn in 2004, 2006, and 2008 and soybean in 2005, 2007, and 2009 at distances 0 to 5 m, 5 to 10 m, 10 to 15 m, and 15 to 20 m from AGF and CGS buffers were determined using geo‐referenced yield maps and ArcGIS software. Corn yield reductions at 0 to 5 m from buffers, ranged from 22 to 49% in AGF and 15 to 32% in CGS watersheds, compared to the yield at 15 to 20 m during 2004 and 2006. This reduction may have been enhanced from soil moisture stress, late planting, and different hybrids between study years. Soybean yields were not affected by buffers. Reduction of corn yields could be potentially minimized with early planting, drought‐tolerant varieties and reduction of buffers root competition with pruning or barriers.

Multisite Evaluation of APEX for Water Quality: II. Regional Parameterization

“…These are the same five models used by Baffaut et al (2017) to evaluate an uncalibrated best professional judgement (BPJ) model parameterization. The general watershed characteristics, data collection, and methods of calibration and validation are described in papers within this special issue (Baffaut et al, 2017; Bhandari et al, 2017) and in previously published works (Udawatta et al, 2002; Zeimen et al, 2006; Senaviratne et al, 2012, 2013, 2014; Sweeney et al, 2012). Calibration of each SSCM started with the BPJ control file options and parameters and resulted in five SSCMs that differed from the BPJ parameterization for three options in the control file (Supplemental Table S2) and 21 values in the parameter file (Supplemental Table S3).…”

Circles of live buffer strips in a center pivot to improve multiple ecosystem services and sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the southern Great Plains

“…The buffer also needs to be perpendicular to the wind direction or the runoff slope to realize the maximum benefits. Benefits of buffer strips include improved microclimate, water conservation, and soil protection, which improve growing conditions (Bang et al 2010;Cleugh et al 1998) and increase crop yield (Senaviratne et al 2012). Wind barrier research under irrigated conditions is limited.…”

“…Thus it will realize most of the benefits regardless of wind direction or slope. Similarly, planting grass or tree buffer strips on contours or across the slope to minimize water erosion have shown promise (Senaviratne et al 2012). When the direction of the resource or pollutant movement is known, building a barrier across it will reduce the loss of that resource or pollutant.…”

Maatregelen om het ESD-aanbod van landbouw te verhogen : Natuurrapport - Aan de slag met ecosysteemdiensten Technisch rapport - Hoodstuk 7

“…Om het effect van houtkanten/bomenrijen op voedselproductie te onderzoeken, voerde Van Vooren een meta-analyse uit (Van Vooren et al 2016) waarin 12 studies (Chirko et al 1996, Singh et al 1998, Chaves 2001, Woodall & Ward 2002, Reynolds et al 2007, Esterka 2008, Stamps et al 2009, Senaviratne et al 2012, Gao et al 2013 (1,64 tot 9,52 x boomhoogte) bedraagt gemiddeld 7%. Een mogelijke verklaring voor het positief effect is een verbeterd microklimaat: bomen functioneren als een windscherm, waardoor er beschutte zones met lagere windsnelheden ontstaan.…”